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Of all the exercises I’ve done running is by far the one I hate the most. I don’t know why I’ve suffered through so many miles of running. From the first step I take all I can think about is the end.

A few years ago I went to a chiropractor who told me that my body is not built for running. He said certain people can run and be ok but not me. Over time, he said, that my knees and back would develop issues. So why did I run all those years? The challenge? Honestly I was too lazy to find something I enjoyed doing so I just ran.

One of my best friends is so passionate about running. He runs a few marathons a year. In 2007 I ran the inaugural ING half marathon. I trained for 3 months, got up before sunrise and ran in sub-freezing temperatures. I finished in under 2 hours. It was an extraordinary experience and I’m glad I did it, but I won’t be doing it again. Running works for him.

I will add that the times I ran with said friend were great moments of fellowship and I enjoyed that part immensely. However the running part of the deal was hard. Would I run with him again? Yes, but only to spend time with him, not because I enjoy running.

You must find something you enjoy for exercise or else you won’t do it. There are so many different activities you can do: yoga, plyometrics, weight training, boot camp, jump rope, biking, hiking, tennis, soccer, rugby, martial arts and the list goes on and on.

Finding activities you enjoy is your responsibility. Find it, do it. You’ll get better over time. I’ve found a lot of enjoyment in plyometrics and biking. That’s how I’ll get my cardio. I will always lift weights, I love doing that! Nothing beats the pump! I encourage you to get into the best shape of your life. Just do something!

Today wraps the 2nd week of P90X. I noticed a slight improvement in the execution the second time around. I also notice a huge increase in my energy level. My low energy level was the biggest wake up call that I needed to get back to exercise.

Tony Horton and the gang are like your buddies at the gym. They are there to help you and push you. Some folks say Tony is annoying. As a former trainer I say he is outstanding. Tony is all about good form and not injuring yourself. He’s corny at times but the bottom line is Tony motivates you to keep going.

Tomorrow starts week 3. Here’s to looking good and feeling good.

This morning I finished the first week of P90X with X Stretch, a whole hour of stretching. Stretching lingered as a weak point for me over the years. I didn’t enjoy it. However I knew I was short-changing myself and more importantly, risking injury.

Back in 2002 while doing incline bench press I strained for an extra rep. I got off balance and dislocated a vertebrae only by a few millimeters. In a few days turning my head even slightly produced severe pain. That was my first trip to chiropractor. It took a few weeks to get everything lined up again. My chiropractor explained that the injury resulted from lack of stretching. From then on I made a point to stretch.

Fast forward a few years and I’m not stretching again. I’m so happy that stretching is a big part of P90X. I can already feel the difference. I am learning new stretches and feeling the benefits.

Yoga X is my first experience with Yoga and I love it. I love the challenge. It’s not easy but nothing on P90X is easy.

Week 1 is done. 11 more weeks to go. Looking forward to taking those after photos and seeing some changes.

Just finished day 2 of P90X. Today was plyometrics and it was a beast. I mean this when I say I don’t think I’ve ever done a more challenging cardio workout. Ever. It keeps going and going. There are water breaks here and there but it’s over quick and you’re back to jumping. I admit, I hit the pause button a few times.

The folks on this video are in outstanding shape. They even have a guy with 1 leg just to give you no excuses. He’s hopping and jumping like a normal guy.

So far so good. Tomorrow is shoulders and arms.

Today I started a 90 day journey called P90X. I remember hearing the guys in my last small group talk about it, how it was tough and challenging. I got a copy of the program this week and completed day 1 which was chest and back plus the ab ribber.

The workout is lots of push ups and pull ups. I was able to hang with the pros for most of the workout. I don’t have a proper pull up bar right now so I used the used the back of the stairs in my basement. P90X is like having a personal trainer working out with you. This guy is good. The energy is up and he definitely pushes you.

The ab ripper slayed me. I couldn’t keep up with them at all. That’s good. I have a lot of progress to make. I also liked that he didn’t press you if you couldn’t keep up with them. The folks in the video are completely ripped. I don’t feel disappointed at all.

I took my before photos yesterday and was disappointed in myself. I’m not happy with the current state of affairs. The photos do not lie. In 2008 I was fit. Over the last 2 years my workouts have waned and the diet has slipped as well, allowing too much ice cream and Fox Bros. BBQ.

My energy level has decreased too and that’s not good. I need lots of energy to complete all the projects I have. I encourage you to join me. Why are you putting it off? Who’s with me? I’ve put this out to the whole world now so I’m accountable.

Taking a rest from the dating series today. It is Sunday.

I complain about cold weather incessantly. I hate it. Loathe it. Detest it. It is punishment to me. It is the most uncomfortable feeling. No matter how many layers I have on, I am still cold. My hands and feet become ice blocks.

Drinking lots of hot tea is one solution and space heaters help. The best solution for me is exercise. Getting to the gym, lifting weights and doing cardio raises my body temperature and keeps me warm for hours.

What about you? What do you do to stay warm? How do you combat this wretched cold?

Happy New Year? Yes Happy New Year! What has changed? What will you truly do different this year? Will you travel the same roads to work? Watch the same TV shows? Hang out with the same friends? Fall prey to the same bad habits?

Truly what is different other than the number of the year? All that is happening is the passing of time. It’s just another day. I don’t mean to sound morbid. I’m challenging all of us, myself included, to use the symbolism of a new year to truly make a new start.

What must change is our minds! One of my favorite scriptures is from Romans 12:1-2. Paul writes, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Whether or not you believe in God and the Bible or not that’s sound advice. Unplug from the old. Get into the new. Don’t do what everyone else is doing. The challenge is there. Let’s do this.

At the end of each year I like to take an inventory of all the new things I did for the first time. 2009 had a lot of ups and downs. JamSmooth is still standing strong. 2010 will be a good year. How do I know? Because I’m going to work hard to make it that way. Here are my firsts for 2009.

1. First time to Cambodia. This trip included with it many other firsts. First time: flying Korean Air, to Seoul, South Korea, seeing Angkor Watt and first time speaking Khmer.

2. First time getting laid off. In 2009 the economy hit home, at least for me. Thought I was safe. I thought wrong. However the experience was rewarding in many other ways.

3. First time at SxSW. Great time. Great music, food, atmosphere and city. Looking forward to going again.

4. Joining Toastmasters. I started Toastmasters in October with a bang. I’ve already given 3 speeches, been Toastmaster, General Evaluator, Timer and Ah-Counter / Grammarian. Toastmasters is going to benefit me in numerous ways.

5. Reading consistently. I’m a bit of a self-help junkie. For years I’ve listened to Brian Tracy talk about the importance of reading every day yet I never read. This year I did. I read for 30 minutes every day. In about 6 months I’ve read 14 books, just reading 30 minutes a day.

6. Cutting my own hair. This year I joined the “Balding Guys Hair Club.” I wanted to do this for a while but I didn’t know if I could rock it. My buddy Adam came over with the clippers and since then I’ve been cutting my own hair. The feedback has been nothing but positive.

7. Sweat lodge. Before I left for Cambodia my pal Ginny invited me to a sweat lodge. We did 3, 20 minute sessions in the piping hot tent. It was one of the most relaxing and spiritual things I’ve ever done and I will definitely do it again.

8. Making Kombucha. Back in 2006 a friend introduced me to his homemade Kombucha. Later I saw GT’s Kombucha at Sevananda. I drank GT’s regularly and because of its high price, about $3.50 a bottle, I started making my own. The drink has numerous health benefits.

9. First job at the mall. I never would’ve dreamed I’d end up working at the mall. Thankfully I work at the best store in the mall. Since I love being around people and people watching I’ve enjoyed it.

10. First time tracking every dollar spent all year. My pastor, Andy Stanley, talked about how he and his wife have tracked every single dollar they’ve ever spent as a couple. His point is how can you track your spending if every dollar doesn’t have a name? Dave Ramsey says the same thing. This year I used my iPhone to keep track of cash expenses and Quicken to record where every dollar went. The only way you can get a handle on where you money goes is to name every dollar.

See ya 2009. You’ve been unforgettable but 2010 will pwn you.

What’s up world? I’m not going to write a post about why I haven’t written but I will fill you in what’s going on.

My new job is great. My co-workers are all enthusiastic, knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. I learn something every day and I enjoy the interactions with the customers. The leadership is encouraging and available.

I love this hot weather. I love to go outside for an hour and just lay there. I’m going with Dr. Mercola on this one. He says exposure to sunlight is good and is the best source of vitamin D. Of course you can get overexposed and that’s bad.

Thinking about going on high protein days for a while. This is a diet I learned as a personal trainer. By limiting your carbohydrate intake you force the body to use fat as an energy source. I did it 3 years ago and it does work but it’s not easy. As someone who loves carbs it requires some discipline but the results speak for themselves.

I’ve jammed a few times with @85lives, playing drums. His music is a mixture of noise rock, garage band and punk.

Morning Lights recorded some new demos. We set up and recorded at MR’s place in Peoplestown. It sounds good for a 001.

Small group is going well. This is the most diverse small group I’ve been in and every guy is enthusiastic about the group. It’s a big commitment but the group helps me stay on track.

My heart hurt when I heard about Michael Jackson. His life was tragic. He never truly got to live his own life. Sure he loved performing and making music but he was robbed of his childhood. I remember when I was 11 everyone had Thriller. Everyone knew all the songs, all the words, all the dance moves. Jackson truly was like Elvis. I’m not sure we can even have another star that big again.

And lastly I’m dating again. There are some strong contenders right now. I’m excited to see what will happen. That’s all I’ll say for now.

Hope you’re all well.

Today marks 4 weeks unemployed. It hasn’t been bad at all. I’ve had lots of time to think and reflect. I haven’t worked out this much in years. Been hitting the gym 6, sometimes 7 times a week.

Have watched lots of movies. Have watched little or no TV. I’ve shifted all my TV watching to the Internet. The shows I watch: Damages, 24 and Late Nite with Jimmy Fallon are online at Hulu.com. My attitude towards TV has shifted like many others with Tivo and DVRs. I watch what I watch when I want and with no commercials.

The other time is spent looking for jobs. I keep a spreadsheet of every single action I take. The spreadsheet shows that I’m doing something and reminds me of all the things I’ve done which is encouraging.

Yesterday I met with The Creative Group. They are a staffing agency for creative professionals in advertising and marketing. I won’t speak on the job we talked about. If I get it then you’ll know.

I have some inside help at Apple Computer. They are not hiring right now but when things thaw out that is a definite contender. I love the Apple brand and I think it would be a good fit for me.

There are other leads as well but I won’t speak on them because I nothing is certain and I don’t want to jinx myself.

Thanks for all of you who are praying for me. It definitely helps. I know God is in control. My prayer is that He uses this trial for His glory.